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SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 8

LEGISLATURE

- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -

FIRST SESSION

, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Steve Komadina

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO LOOK AT IMPROVING

MANAGEMENT OF WILD HORSE HERDS AND REQUESTING THE FEDERAL

GOVERNMENT TO DEVELOP TOURISM PROGRAMS AT NATIONAL WILD HORSE

TERRITORIES AND OTHER WILD HORSE RANGES.

WHEREAS, New Mexico started out with twelve national wild

horse territories but now has only three territories; and

WHEREAS, the wild horse population of New Mexico on

federal lands in 1973 was over six thousand, but currently the

total wild horse population of New Mexico on federal lands is

under four hundred and is targeted at two hundred eighteen;

and

WHEREAS, wild horses of Spanish colonial descent are part

of New Mexico's living heritage and history, but they are

endangered and may become extinct in New Mexico; and

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WHEREAS, there are increased efforts in the state to

ensure the preservation of the descendants of those horses who

came to the new world with the conquistadores, one means being

DNA testing of wild horses and removing Spanish-line horses to

separate preserves; and

WHEREAS, like the buffalo, wild horses are emblematic of

the old west, and it is the image of wild horses running free

across the plains of the west that lives in the hearts and

minds of Americans; and

WHEREAS, it was with this idea in mind that the United

States congress recognized that these living symbols of the

historic pioneer spirit of the west were fast disappearing

from the American scene and passed the Wild Free-Roaming

Horses and Burros Act of 1971 to protect wild horses; and

WHEREAS, the wild horse is part of New Mexico's

enchantment and essence and an integral part of the Indian,

Hispanic, ranching and farming cultures; and

WHEREAS, although tourism is the second-largest industry

in the state, the national wild horse territories in New

Mexico are not advertised by either the federal or state

government; and

WHEREAS, the state, in particular, is missing an

opportunity to draw thousands of tourists from all over the

world who are intrigued by the history, culture and art of the

American west;

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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the federal government be requested

to develop the three existing wild horse territories in New

Mexico and to open other national wild horse territories in

New Mexico where herds currently exist; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the federal government

endeavor to maintain a minimum herd size of two hundred in

each national wild horse territory for genetic viability and

for tourism; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the federal government

control wild horse populations by the use of contraception

rather than sale of excess animals; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that when overpopulation does

exist, the federal government move the excess animals to other

wild horse territories, preferably in New Mexico, or place

them with private or state wild horse preserves after DNA

testing to determine if the horses are Spanish-line

descendants; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that helicopters not be used in

the state's rugged terrain to round up wild horses, especially

during foaling season; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the federal government honor

the cultural heritage and history of New Mexico by maintaining

Spanish-line and other wild horse populations for the

enjoyment and education of New Mexico residents and other

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visitors to the state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the heads of the bureau of land management of

the United States department of the interior and the forest

service of the United States department of agriculture; the

secretaries of the interior and agriculture; and the New

Mexico congressional delegation.

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